HAZZA network aims to harness blockchain to unify global payments to benefit consumers, merchants, and the entire payments industry

Token sale will support opening up of the universal payment gateway network

HONG KONG, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "The aim of HAZZA is to enable banks, payment schemes and merchants to bring payments to the next billion customers," says Octo3 Chairman Ajmal Samuel. "The entire global payments ecosystem would benefit from a universally accessible, low cost, blockchain-enabled payment network connecting all players to each other."

Octo3 Limited is an established player in the payments industry, with a strong track record. Further details about its capabilities are set out below. The firm already operates a payments system that creates a unified, low friction, API-based, user-friendly processing platform for banks, merchants, payment providers and existing card networks to interconnect in one step. Today marks the launch of a token sale to bolster the network's capabilities through the use of smart contract-driven blockchain technology, and the creation of a new payments ecosystem based on an open network: HAZZA.

Card networks have provided value and more services to billions of customers through innovation. However, they still face friction points in expanding their network to the next billion customers, supporting processing for network transactions and administering contracts. Legacy infrastructure, inefficient processing and routing result in cascading fees and high costs to consumers, merchants, PSPs, and credit card issuers. The aim of the HAZZA network is to reduce that friction and create opportunities, through scale, that allow players to create integrated value solutions through massive enablement.

"Our vision for HAZZA is to allow merchants to connect to one common network and access any payment system also plugged in to HAZZA. This would mean that credit cards, mobile wallet providers, banks and more should be able to connect to HAZZA," says Octo3 CEO Tyrone Lynch. "With HAZZA we want you to be able to collaborate with more merchants using simple APIs."

In practice, what this could mean is that a person can visit their favorite store and pay with whatever means of payment they prefer.

Payment providers could therefore cut hundreds of complex processes and expensive relationships down to one, simple, reliable low-cost solution that dramatically expands their reach to merchants worldwide. The global availability of processing engines, accessible through APIs, could make onboarding of banks and digital and mobile money services a frictionless and rapid process.

Smart contracts could also fast track alignment and agreement among merchants, payment service providers and entire payments ecosystems. The whole payment eco-system could therefore benefit from expanded scale, reduced friction and the immediate availability of processing services.

While the HAZZA network has not yet been launched, Octo3 already has significant parts of the technology that will underpin it.

The Token Sale

The HAZZA token sale, is underway now in a pre-sale. The sale of HAZZA tokens (ticker: HAZ), will be open to the public on October 3, 2017 and ends October 31, 2017. Following the token sale, resources raised will be used to strengthen the technology through incorporation of blockchain solutions using smart contracts to drive efficiencies. The aim of the tokens is to provide a means of accessing the cloud-based system. Tokens will be available for purchase using popular cryptocurrency choices including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Tokens may also be available for purchase in USD.

"We expect the utility of the token in accessing this proven, operational network, will be extremely high," explains Mr Lynch. "The cryptocurrency structure will create a self-fulfilling value creation engine. We anticipate innovators and owners of tokens will have strong incentive to constantly create new solutions to build on the network."

The network will be based on Octo3's intellectual property (IP). Octo3 will transfer its IP, and current PCI compliant technology, to the Octo3 Foundation, a not-for-profit entity.

"Financial inclusion means bringing everyone into the network -- from entrepreneurs in developing nations to consumers around the world. Everyone has to be able to access the benefits of the global economy. A transparent, accessible and affordable system can create opportunities for credit card providers, banks, Alternative Payment Methods (APM) and other payment solution providers," says Mr Samuel.

About OCTO3

Octo3 Limited ("Octo3") has developed and operates an omni-channel technology as a service payment acceptance and transaction switching network ("Global Payment Network"). The cloud-based technology is proprietary and certified with BASE I, BASE II capable, and fully functional ISO 8583 payment switch. It is fully compliant with over 130 transaction currencies and allows full transactional oversight, covering e-commerce, physical POS, mobile POS, MOTO, coupon and loyalty programs currently. The Global Payment Network has robust functionalities and the highest level of security, maintaining a PCI-DSS Level 1 certification.

Octo3 is a member of OCTO3 Group Holdings Ltd., a hi-tech service provider that provides integrated solutions, comprehensive operation support and new technology applications. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Octo3 offices are located in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Pakistan.